Vibratory massage tool



April 1969 E. s. KANBAR 3,441,016

VIBRATORY MASSAGE TOOL Filed Jan. 10, 1967 United States Patent 3,441,016 VIBRATORY MASSAGE TOOL Elliott S. Kanbar, 333 E. 69th St.,

New York, NY. 10021 Filed Jan. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 608,348 Int. Cl. A61h 7/00, 23/02 US. Cl. 125-67 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to vibratory massaging tools, and more particularly to replaceable tools which are adapted to be driven by standard electromagnetic vibratory motors ordinarily intended for use with electric toothbrushes.

Massage treatment involves the systematic rubbing, stroking, kneading or slapping of superficial parts of the the body, these actions being applied manually or with electrical devices. Gentle massage has a soothing action on the sensory nerves, while more vigorous massage quickens the circulation and aids the muscles in disposing of accumulated waste products. Facial massages are of significant cosmetic value, for facial lines are often the result of inadequaely exercised facial muscles or lack of facial tone. By gentle massage on all areas of the face, significant improvements may be made in a persons appearance.

Various electrically driven devices are currently available for massage treatment. Such devices are relatively cumbersome and expensive, and are not therefore widely used, despite the desirability of such treatment. On the other hand, almost every household now possesses an electric toothbrush, for the high-speed reciprocatory, oscillatory or orbital motion produced by such brushes is beneficial not merely in cleaning the teeth but in stimulating the gums. Such toothbrushes consist of a removable toothbrush element insertable in a drive motor.

Accordingly, it is the main object of this invention to provide a replaceable massage tool especially adapted for facial massages, which tool is insertable in the drive motor of most standard electric toothbrushes.

A salient advantage of the present invention is that the purchaser need only buy the low-cost massage tools, which he then inserts in the driver of his electric toothbrush when he wishes a facial massage, and thereafter replaces with a toothbrush element when he wishes to brush his teeth. Thus the standard electric toothbrush appliance is effectively converted into a dual-purpose device.

Also an object of the invention is to provide massage tools of the above-identified type which are especially contoured for different areas of the face to effect beneficial treatment thereof. The tools are also useful in massaging cosmetic and germicidal creams into the skin for they function as an applicator causing the cream to penetrate into the pores of the skin.

Still another object of the invention is to provide bifurcated massage tools constituted by a pair of resilient tines which tend to deflect and thereby prevent the application of excessive pressure in the course of treatment, Without, however, shifting the axial position of the shank of the tool.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an 3,441,016 Patented Apr. 29, 1969 "ice adaptor member for intercoupling the plug portion of a massage tool with a socket or head portion of a driver which otherwise is of noncomplementary design.

For a better understanding of the invention, as Well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a vibratory massage assembly including a tool in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the assembly, partly in section;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a massage tool and adaptor for matching the tool to the socket of an electric driver;

FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of tool in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a massage assembly including a massage tool, generally designated by numeral 10, in accordance with the invention. Tool 10 is inserted in the electromagnetic driver 11 of a standard electric toothbrush. This driver may provide any of the existing vibratory motions for toothbrushes, i.e., oscillatory, reciprocal, or orbital.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the tool 10 is constituted by a shank portion 11A, a plug portion 11B at the base of the shank, and a bifurcated portion 110 extending from the other end of the shank. These portions are integral with each other, the tool being preferably molded or otherwise formed from high-impact nylon, polypropylene, styrene, or other synthetic plastic material of high structural strength. The bifurcated port-ion 11A, as best seen in FIG. 4, is constituted by two tines HQ and 11C having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, whereby each tine is effectively composed of three ribs, adjacent ribs defining a triangular recess.

Plug 11B is formed of a tapered block-shaped portion which is split longitudinally to define a pair of spring fingers 11B and 11B This plug is insertable, in place of a toothbrush, in the socket 12 of the driver 11. The form of the socket complements that of the plug to afford a secure coupling between the driver and tool as the tool vibrates.

While the configuration of the plug shown in FIG. 3 is suitable for most standard drivers and is equivalent to that found in toothbrush elements used with such drivers, some drivers have sockets or heads which are differently designed and will not accommodate plug 11B.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, one well-known form of driver for an electric toothbrush employs a coupling head 13 in the form of a plate having a cylindrical rib. This head cannot be coupled to plug 11B. However, by the use of an adaptor 14 this may be accomplished.

Adaptor 14 has a tool section 14A in the form of a socket adapted to receive plug 11B, and a receptacle section 14B adapted to receive coupling head 13. Obviously, this adaptor may be provided with other forms of receptacle sections to effect coupling with other types of driver heads or sockets.

The tool shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is shaped so as to effectively massage the neck-line, the areas under the chin, the cheeks, the brow and other relatively flat and broad regions of the face and body. Because of the elongated ribs, which define right-angle recesses, in pressing the tool against the skin, a fold thereof is caught in the recess, and as the tool oscillates or reciprocates, this fold is manipulated at relatively high speed, but gently, to effect a safe massaging action having highly beneficial results.

Because of the bifurcated structure, the two tines will yield under pressure, so that even if the user applies the tool to the skin with excessive pressure, the tine will bend to prevent discomfort. On the other hand, the shank will remain rigid and in axial alignment with the driver to maintain the optimum transmission of energy.

In FIG. 5, the tool 15 is similar to that in FIGS. 1 to 4, save that the active portion 15A is in the form of a bifurcated ball whose surface is ribbed, for the same reasons explained previously. This shape is particularly suitable for facial creases, such as the regions against the sides of the nostrils, or other parts of the body where the elongated element of the other tool cannot enter.

The massaging tool in accordance with the invention can also be used to apply a facial cream to the skin and to massage the cream deeply into the pores. To this end the cream is manually applied and then massaged, thereby accomplishing two purposes; namely causing the cream to penetrate the pores and thereby lubricating the skin, and also loosening dirt embedded in the skin, thereby cleaning the skin and minimizing skin problems arising from dirt. The device is also useful in forcing medicinal or antiseptic cream into the skin.

It will be apparent that other bifurcated shapes are possible for the active portion of the massage tool. While there have been shown and described, preferred embodiments of vibratory massage tools in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A replaceable massage tool for use with the drive motor of an electric toothbrush, said motor having a socket adapted to receive the end of a toothbrush, said tool being provided with a shank portion having a plug portion at one end thereof and an active portion at the other end thereof, said plug portion being split to form spring fingers which are receivable in said socket, said active portion being bifurcated to define a pair of tines whose surfaces are ribbed to produce recesses for accommodating folds of skin.

2. A tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said active portion is elongated and said tines have parallel ribs thereon forming recesses having a triangular cross-section to render said tool suitable for relatively fiat skin areas.

3. A tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said active portion is ball-shaped and has arcuate ribs thereon.

4. A tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein said portions are molded of nylon.

5. A tool as set forth in claim 1, and an adaptor to effect coupling between said plug portion and a driver socket otherwise not complementary therewith, said adaptor having a tool portion to receive said plug and a driver portion which couples to said socket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LAWRENCE W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 128-65 

